HOLLYOAKS' Scott Drinkwell's hard-hitting scenes of attempted suicide have left him "sad and vulnerable" in what will be a long-running storyline centred on his mental health battles.

Actor Ross Adams exclusively told The Sun Online his character's depression wouldn't be "a flash in the pan" as he revealed his sheer pride the Channel 4 show was portraying the often-taboo issue of depression in an accurate way.

Not known refer to copyright holder

Hollyoaks star Ross Adams has revealed his character Scott Drinkwell's turmoil will continue following his failed suicide attempt

Ross' bubbly character quickly became a fans' favourite for his flamboyant, comic character and "playing the clown role".

Yet he admitted telly addicts were left "shocked" as his camp, happy-go-lucky nature switched last week when they witnessed Scott's attempt to take his own life.

His previously hidden turmoil then became clear as best mate Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) and auntie Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) discovered his video diary.

Splash News

Ross said producers had opted for a long-running storyline meaning Scott's battle wouldn't be 'fixed overnight'

Not known refer to copyright holder

Actor Ross revealed Scott will share his feelings of sadness and vulnerability with family and friends

Norther actor Ross said he had been "overwhelmed" by the swathes of response from show fans in a similar situation to Scott - and vowed the plot would be long-running.

He told us: "It's certainly not going to be a flash in the pan story. We are telling it really truthfully.
"What we are going to see is long term.

"It isn't something that is fixed over night, it's something that he will struggle with and battle with.

"There's a positive side when you think of what could have happened and thankfully he is getting the help he needs and talking about feelings."

He added: "You will see more of him opening up to family and friends and talking about why he is feeling vulnerable and sad."

Not known refer to copyright holder

Fans were left shocked as Scott's BFF Mercedes McQueen discovered his suicide tape this week

Ta-ra chuck

LOVE RAT RETURNS

GRIM KIM

Kim Woodburn yells at feminist, accusing her of lying and tells her to shut up

Ross admitted he had been "apprehensive" when producers approached him with the huge storyline three months ago.

Yet he was quickly clued-up after meeting sufferers and getting into contact with charities including the Samaritans.

He revealed: "I felt like it was a huge responsibility as I wanted to tell the story truthfully and I wanted to tell it well.

"It was really sobering."

Rex Features

Ross

The Gemma Factor star Ross added: "I'm also massively overwhelmed by how many people this story seems to have affected.

"It's quite moving to think our show might have helped some people, that's the power of soap.

"I've been blown away by the amount of Tweets from people who suffered mental illness and how Scott felt.

"Through doing this it's really opened my eyes to how prevalent this issue is.

"I've been lucky, I've never experienced mental illness. But it's unbelievable how many people have."

The timing of the soap's latest dramatic scenes was important, too, with the scenes airing ahead of a series of important anniversaries for the LGBT community, which includes a celebration of the Wolfenden Report which recommended against homosexuality's classification as a criminal offence.

Hollyoaks Tony Hutchinson (Nick Pickard) was left shocked in the aftermath of Ross suicide attempt

According to the LGBT Foundation, LGB people are twice as likely as heterosexual people to have suicidal thoughts or make suicide attempts.

Ross confessed he was "proud" at showing how mental illness had touched on all aspects and will "100%" stay in touch with the charities involved to further drum up support.

Hollyoaks airs weeknights on Channel 4 at 6.30pm with a first look episode following at 7pm on E4